Meet us
Mike Fuller
Mike Fuller, trumpet, has been teaching 6th grade band in River Falls, Wisconsin since 1996. Prior to that he taught high school band in Fairmont, Minnesota and middle school band in Prescott, Wisconsin. Over the past 20 years, Mike has performed as a member of community bands, brass ensembles, and dance bands in central and western Wisconsin, southern Minnesota, northern Iowa, eastern South Dakota, and the Twin Cities area. Mike lives in River Falls, Wisconsin with his wife and two sons.
Verle Ormsby, Jr.
Hornist Verle Ormsby, Jr. has enjoyed a long and distinguished career performing with chamber and symphony orchestras in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin. He also has extensive experience as an arranger, clinician and conductor. Since receiving his Doctor of Arts degree from Ball State University (IN) he has taught at Pittsburg State University (KS), Southwest Baptist University (MO) and is currently on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. Verle is Principal Horn with the Chippewa Valley Symphony and performs with the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra in Eau Claire, WI.
Marsha Pearson
Trombonist Marsha Pearson has been teaching 7th and 8th grade band at Meyer Middle School in River Falls, Wisconsin for the past 13 years. She has performed with the St. Croix Valley Community Band and Symphony Orchestra and has also been been a member of the pit orchestra for numerous local productions. Marsha is also the organist and accompanist for First Congregational UCC in River Falls. She has earned degrees from the Univeristy of Wisconsin-River Falls and the University of Minnesota.
Jim Perkins
With over 600 performances in community bands, symphony orchestras, and small ensembles in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, Jim Perkins has also been active as a freelance solo trumpeter. Currently Jim plays with the Chippewa Valley Symphony (Eau Claire, WI), the St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra (River Falls, WI) and with Wisconsin's oldest community band, the Ludington Guard Band of Menomonie. Previously Jim served as Principal Trumpet with the Central Iowa Symphony Orchestra (Ames, IA) and played Solo First Cornet with the renowned Karl L. King Band of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Jim studied with Albert Moore, Dale White, Mark Camphouse, and Wayne Harvey.
Mark Perry
Mark Perry, Tuba, is a retired music educator and has taught students from elementary through university level. Many of his students have gone on to careers in music. Mark has played with numerous university and community bands and orchestras in Wisconsin and Minnesota including the Wisconsin Brass Society quintet. Mark also played tuba with the Faculty Brass Quintet at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a group that performed extensively in western Wisconsin schools. Mark has also served as Assistant Conductor and featured soloist with the UW-EC Symphony Band under the direction of Donald George. He was a student of David Kuehn, and his playing is influenced by Roger Bobo, Abe Torchinsky, Dominic Spera, and William Bell. The instrument he plays was designed by William Bell.